Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1887-07-14
PERMANENT PASTURE.
Advantages to bc Derived from Seeding
with Blue Grass.


with Blue Grass.
Kentucky blue grass (Poa pratefssis)
is one Of the most valuable grasses for
permanent pasture. 1t grows natur-
ally upon limestone land or upon land
to which lime has been applied, and
when well suited by climate and soil
makes a dense and permanent sod
which affords the best pasture for dairy
cows. 1t is thought by some farmers
to be pest second only in pestiferous-
ness to the much-abused quack grass,
(7riticam repeas.) but when one is
used to either Of these grasses way is
soon found to subdue them when they
are no longer wanted. Having had
several years experience with these
grasses. we have lost all concern about
their supposed bad qualities. and con-
slider their usefulness (even of quack
grass) as compensation for whatever
badness Of disposition they may be sup
posed to possess and admitting every
charge against them.
Permanencc in grass is an essen
tial good quality and blue grass is per.
manently abiding when established in
the soil. 1t is nutritious, makes an
early and late growth, and in localities
where the ground is not buried under
snow in winter affords most useful
pasture. 1t thrives over q large por-
ton of the United States, from Ver-
mont 10 Kansas and from the Lakes to
tho Gulf Of Mexico. 1t makes its
growth, however. in Southern Iowa,
Kcntucky, Indiana, Missouri, Tennes-
see, West Virginia, the Southern
mountain region. Kansas and Arkan'
sas. 1t has thus very wide area,
and is really the most valuable Of oui
native species. Where 1t is supposed
to be pest it is neglected and left to
its own unaided resources, but where
it is well used it repays every usefu
service rendered to it 1t is the bes
grass for cows kept for cheese and but
ter making. and the June grass, a
this species is called In many places
t gives the high color and flavor to tn
June butter. 1t made Central an
Western New York and Vermont tn
J first dairy localities in the Unite
: States until Wisconsin, Iowa and Ill
: nois took the palm from them by I'll
J. help of this grass and their richer soil
1t is of slow growth when sown. an
a requires time to become well esta'
. lished in the soil, but its maturity
!. hastcned by perfect preparation
4 the land and the manner Of seeding.
j. grows we'll under shade, and we ha'
d caused it to take possession OF op'
:. woodland by cutting off the unde
:, growth and burning it and well-hs
!. rowing the surface before sowing 4
% seed. Where woodland range pastu
n is made use of. as-in several Of I
10 Southern States, this method Of see
y. ing is very useful and more th'
y y trebles the feeding value Of the land.
re- in field culture we have sown u
ID grass with millet in June; prepari
/ the land by thorough plowing and hi
III rowing; sowing half bushel Of mil
\, ,e and two bushels Of the grass seed |
" " acre, and cutting the millet in Augu
Al when it begins TO blossom. for hi
o, The blue grass gets sufficiently estf
o. lished by tho following spring, and
or though some weeds may appear in
"a land, the rapidly thickening sod so
y ~' crowds them out; but more easily
Of they arc mown when half grown, q
a. their growth is checked. The seed
h. very light and requires careful sowir
d. IL there is but slight wind the seed
IN IN carried quite distance; but by watt
ID ing the scattering seed and sowi
en- with the wind blowing across from o
en- hand to the other, and not from frc
re to roar, an even distribution may
madc on a moderately windy day. 1
ne seed is cheap, selling in Kentucl
TIa ,Io ! where 1t is largely grown. for si'
~, cents per bushel. M Y Times.